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North County Transit goes solar to trim costs

The folks behind mass transit in North County have a new ally: The sun. The North County Transit District recently installed 24 solar panels on the roof of its Oceanside headquarters to bring down energy costs.

It's part of a broader initiative by the agency to become more environmentally friendly.

Using a $2 million federal stimulus grant, NCTD plans several energy-related projects, including the installation of solar panels at bus maintenance facilities and solar-powered car-charging units at transit parking lots.

The agency, which runs a bus network and two rail systems, recently overhauled its data processing center -- the brains of the operation. It used a $600,000 federal grant to install energy-efficient computer servers and other equipment, all housed in the district headquarters.

NCTD technology chief Angela Miller said before the revamp, the center was grossly inefficient and prone to electrical problems. "It's really the heart and soul of our business now, so it's really important that we protect that room. It needs to always be powered," she said.

She said the agency used recycled tiles, bamboo panels on the walls for sound and other green building practices in the room.

The new rooftop panels (pictured) power the center, resulting in a savings of about $37,000 a year.